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INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE v o l u m e X X VI. No. 3 May–June 2012

In recent years, the fragile ecosystem of the entire Imperilled Heritage Himalayan region has been under severe stress. The DISCUSSION: Himalayan Biodiversity crisis has been exacerbated by short-sighted human Speaker: Dr. Ajay Singh Rawat, May 2 intervention. Climate change and global warming are linked with retreating glaciers, flash floods following cloud bursts have become frequent, and forest fires Eminent environmental historian and keen ravage once thickly wooded hills. Developmental photographer Ajay Rawat presented an insightful imperatives have all but negated serious efforts at and thought-provoking illustrated talk on Himalayan conservation. To most of us dwelling in the plains, all biodiversity, focusing primarily on Uttarakhand. He this is too distant from our daily lives. There is urgent covered a wide gamut ranging from deforestation, need to put things in a holistic perspective before it is too land erosion and imperilled flora and fauna like rare late. This is what Ajay Rawat succeeded in doing during orchids and wild berries celebrated in folklore. The his talk. Addressed to the concerned citizen, it sought narrative was enriched with strikingly beautiful slides to engage the audience seriously, yet maintained a light and personal anecdotes regarding illegal mining, engrossing touch. It blended sociological, historical poaching and environmental degradation caused by and scientific streams to emphasize his points. burgeoning population pressure.  INDRAJIT The descriptions available in several texts reveal Discovery of Akbar’s that in 1575, Akbar ordered the construction of the Ibadat khana by rebuilding the cell of Shaikh Ibadat Khana Abdullah Niyazi Sirhindi with spacious galleries on TALK: Identification and Discovery of Akbar’s all four sides and specific seating arrangements for Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri the nobles (east), Sayyids (west), Ulema (south) and Speaker: Dr. K.K. Muhammad. Chair: Professor sufi shaikhs (north). This structure was located near Mushirul Hasan, June 5 the Jama masjid and by the side of the imperial palace in Fatehpur Sikri. A pictorial presentation of the different aspects of The location and identification of this structure, Akbar’s rule provided the historical context for this however, has evaded a final answer. Dr. Muhammad erudite talk about archaeological explorations at excavated this site and discovered the remains of Fatehpur Sikri during 1981-83 and the discovery of a square pyramidal structure with three tiers and Akbar’s Ibadat khana (house of devotion). seating arrangements on all four sides surrounded Dr. Muhammad bridges the gap between the two by a wall. The western portion of this wall had five approaches to the past—the archaeological and the arches indicating the direction of prayer. These details historical. He uses ‘historical archaeology’ or text- were cross-checked with the literary descriptions and aided archaeology that takes the help of written a miniature painting from the Akbarnama to establish records to identify and locate the Ibadat khana, and the identity of the Ibadat khana. the first Catholic church of north India (briefly mentioned) at Fatehpur Sikri.  Meenakshi Khanna focus diary

sect of Buddhism that holds this particular sutra in Buddhist Heritage high regard. DISCUSSION: Gilgit Lotus Sutra Manuscripts Eminent panelists Lokesh Chandra and Kapila Launch of NAI publication by Smt. Sangita Gairola Vatsyayan shared their personal insights into this Panelists: Dr. Lokesh Chandra; and Dr. Kapila nodal text’s history and significance, and expressed Vatsyayan deep concern for the fast disappearing cultural Chair: Professor Mushirul Hasan, May 3 memory of the Indian people. SEMINAR: Remembering the Bamiyan Buddhas On 7 May, a symposium was held on ‘Remembering Collaboration: Himalayan Research and Cultural the Bamiyan Buddhas’. Several speakers from the Foundation, May 7 School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University shared their insights into the complex socio-political factors that led to the destruction of Buddhism travelled to the East and West of India, the Buddha statues. Organized by the Himalayan and left behind a rich spiritual and cultural legacy Research and Cultural Foundation, headed by that demands our attention afresh in a world riven Professor K. Warikoo, the event began with the by conflict. Sometimes that conflict has directly launch of the 15th volume of their journal. The Chair, affected aspects of that Chinmay Gharekhan, legacy. At the same time, highlighted the Bamiyan there are positive efforts at valley’s strategic location revival and reconstruction and Lokesh Chandra traced that need to be celebrated. Bamiyan’s deep links with These two separate events ancient India, including centred on the world’s mention in the Rg Veda. Buddhist heritage: one Other speakers included celebratory, the other, several young research unfortunately, less so. scholars from Afghanistan On 3 May, The National currently studying at Archives of India’s JNU whose papers facsimile edition of reflected their personal the Gilgit Lotus Sutra and political engagement Manuscripts was launched with the region. One by Sangita Gairola. came away with fresh Chair Mushirul Hasan tidbits of information: for highlighted the work done instance, Hazara myths by the NAI, and asked for have traditionally seen the greater material support statues as those of lovers. Syed Raza, Mansoor to continue this urgent Ehsan, Rashid Ahmadi, task of preserving the Kh. Umarov, Mandira precious heritage of the Dutta and Ankita Haldar region. Akash Keji Ouchi read the Taliban’s actions from Japan read out a in demolishing the colossi congratulatory message via diverse lenses, from from Daisaku Ikeda, the poetic to the political. President of the Soka Gokkai International, a  MAYA JOSHI 2 diary talks

Golden Jubilee Lectures on Environment behaviour and the environment. Highlighting the Eclectic Ecology limitations of markets with respect to public goods, Talks the commons and externalities like pollution and environmental degradation, he said governments What Ails Environmental Governance in India? had to step in with regulation and taxation in order Speaker: Professor Madhav Gadgil. Chair: to ‘get prices right’. Concerned that extreme climate Samar Singh, May 24 change scenarios could push India back to a 1960s- type situation or worse with low wheat and corn Economics and the Environment productivity, high food prices and reduced calorific Speaker: Professor E. Somanathan. intake among the poor, Professor Somanathan looked Chair: Professor Mahesh Rangarajan, May 31 at the neglected issue of rural pollution from wood and Uttarakhand Forests: A View from the Village bio-waste combustion. He also emphasized the need Speaker: Malika Virdhi. to increase incomes so that the poor could switch from solid fuels to low carbon ones like gas and use more Chair: Professor Pushpesh Pant, June 7 efficient stoves. Stressing the importance of reducing per capita energy consumption and fossil fuel use, he One subject, three perspectives, each unique, all said an internationally coordinated tax, cap and trade illuminating. mechanism would help finance the transition to more Professor Madhav Gadgil, one of India’s most efficient carbon use in the developed and developing illustrious ecologists, spoke with the authority of world, and could provide revenue for solutions to an internationally acclaimed expert who has been groundwater depletion. He called for better agricultural instrumental in formulating Indian environment policy research to boost productivity, lowering food and land and has interacted extensively with the government. In prices and thus allowing forests to expand. a devastating critique of environmental governance, With a degree in Social Work from Delhi University, he decried the pursuit of high GDP growth regardless some three decades of activism on grassroots of its costs as illusory and unsustainable, and said democracy, human rights and specifically women’s that environmental degradation and social strife rights, an enviable mountaineering track record were inevitable corollaries. He gave several examples and years of being sarpanch of the Sarmoli Village of state environmental agencies’ lack of honesty Forest Council in Uttarakhand, Malika Virdhi is an of purpose and execution: disregard of the Pronab amazing force of nature. Impassioned and extremely Sen Committee’s recommendations on ecologically articulate, she tore into the notion that Himalayan sensitive areas; denying access to and destroying degradation is the result of overpopulation, overuse material from the Zonal Atlas for the Siting of and the backwardness of hill communities. Arguing Industries; systematic blocking of scientific research on that it was instead the consequence of both geological forest areas; sabotage of grassroots natural resource processes and a systematic whittling away of local self- protection initiatives as in Plachimada; clearances to governance by the state and commercial interests, she purportedly green technologies, ignoring their actual said that increasing state intervention and the money impacts; and shifting of protection agencies away power of business groups were destroying complex from threatened locations to discourage filing of and highly effective institutions for ecosystem objections. As head of the Western Ghats Ecology maintenance and sustainable livelihoods such as van Expert Panel, he described the government’s attempts panchayats. The traditional owners of the commons to bury the panel’s report fearing it would affect were being turned into ‘project beneficiaries’ who economic growth prospects, and the media attention had to supplicate before the state, and whose elected that possibly led to its publication on the eve of the representatives could be removed at the latter’s whim. IIC talk. Malika called for an increase in the area under van Professor E. Somanathan, Head of Planning at the panchayats, reduction of governmental interference Indian Statistical Institute, has focused much of and protection from commercial incursions. his research on the relationship between economic  MAHADEVAN RAMASWAMY 3 talks diary

often doubtful health hazards, as the plot sizes are Improving Sanitation too small for septic tanks. Therefore shared septic DISCUSSION: Pani, Potties aur Makaan — tanks are needed, which is the basis of the proposal by Ms. King and Dr. Khosla. Developing grass-roots Fractured Domestic Landscapes ideas of how and where the sanitary system can be Discussants: Ms. Julia King; Dr. Renu Khosla, set up and work community organizing is essential. May 15 The colony’s distance to Delhi, makes it hard to access services, such as holistic health centres, water Putting sanitation on the agenda, Ms. Julia King and and work for resettlement. Providing a holistic Dr. Renu Khosla discussed the Fractured Domestic sanitation plan includes water-kiosks improving Landscapes of Savda Ghevra. water security, along with composting to ensure Ms. King, an architecture PhD student at London better quality health and employment opportunities Metropolitan University, has worked with Dr. Renu for inhabitants of the colony. Khosla and the Center for Urban and Regional The dedicated presenters provided thoughtful Excellence (CURE) which resulted in a viable inputs about microfinance and ensuring community sanitation plan. In Savda Ghera, 88 per cent of involvement in the project when answering questions defecation is open, endangering women and children. by the audience. Re-imagining urban policy, where From 0 plots in 2005, to 3000 plots and already noted legitimate owners in resettlement colonies have the as a crisis in the making, it has continuously expanded same rights as others, government inclusiveness is to 8500 household plots in 2010. Estimates show that key according to the team. only 1 in 5 households have a toilet. The toilets are  KATHRINE OLSEN FLAATE

An Exhibition of 18th Century coloured engravings by Francois Balthazar Solvyns (1760-1824), based on the new reprint edition of the Costumes of Hindostan (New Delhi, 2012). Inaugurated on May 24, 2012 4 diary culture

Three prize-winning TV Chadha tells each story documentaries produced Three PSBT with feeling and dignity. by the Public Service Aparna Sanyal’s, A Drop Broadcasting Trust were Documentaries Film: PSBT Films 2011 Of Sunshine, in thirty- screened in May. Veteran five minutes chronicles Arun Chadha’s Mindscapes Collaboration: PSBT with Doordarshan and Films Division, May 4 the struggles of a really ... Of Love and Longing intelligent but schizophrenic is a fifty-two minute young woman. Her scientist exploration of the lives of a set of people troubled father comes across as a man of great strength and by autism and even completely debilitating diseases humanity. The documentary survives excessive use like muscular atrophy. The director, with love of special effects to make an impact because of its and empathy, explores each individual’s quest for powerful central narrative. happiness. A teen-aged girl longs for a boyfriend; a young married man finds solace and companionship There Is Something In The Air, Iram Gufran’s twenty- with his wife, another drives a special scooter nine minute attempt at understanding the deeply collecting DVDs of Hindi films and hopes to get disturbed world of women who haunt the twin married; a girl who can barely walk and who has tasted shrines of Chote Sarkar and Bade Sarkar in Badayun, the fruits of love wants a dignified man–woman UP, fails because of obfuscation in technique and relationship; a wheelchair bound businessman with thought. Clarity of vision was needed and not trick a wife and son wants to savour every moment of visuals. happiness with them before his muscles waste away:  Partha Chatterjee

Anil Sethi’s lucid talk and subversion. He presented a social history Holi in the Punjab brings out the secular of the people of 19th TALK: Princes, People and Purifiers—The Holi character of Holi in century Punjab through Festival in the Punjab (circa 1800–1920) villages, where, he says, the festival of Holi in an Speaker: Professor Anil Sethi people participated in the attempt to understand the Chair: Dr. Nonica Datta, June 18 event irrespective of their ‘shared culture’ of Punjab, religious affiliations. But or sanjhi panjabiyat. He this was not true of large focused on substantial ‘ritual reversals that marked cities (Lahore, for example). Muslim aloofness from Holi, the extent to which non-Hindu groups related Holi in the cities was a consequence of sectarian to it, and the manner in which reformers like loyalties which were cultivated by the ruling elite, Sanatanists, Arya Samajis and the Sikhs backed by both the pre-British and the British, through their British moralising modernisers attempted to expunge policies and social reforms. carnivalist elements from it’. Despite formations Anil Sethi concludes that we must be aware of like Holika Sammelan Committees in Bombay, or the fluidity of the sectarian boundaries (in this the Takht Khalsa pamphlets, even powerful groups instance, in the event of Holi) of the 19th century, faced difficulties in wiping away its existing modes but also of the boundaries themselves created by of celebration. His account of Ranjit Singh’s Holi sectarian loyalties. makes clear that the ruler’s Holi signified order and authority and that of the people signified disorder  MEGHA SIDHU 5 culture diary

one imagined at the start. Barney’s Version is based on Of Politics and Mordecai Richler’s novel. Poignancy There were two documentaries about music that comes from the heart, of experiences lived and FILM: Canadian Films, June 2012 shared. Carry Me Home is about the story and music of Nathaniel Dett. Interviews interspersed with The IIC festival of Canadian films was a treat. his music and that of other Afrocentric composers reminds us of the history of slavery and how songs Among the several wonderful films was Incendies. A were composed by those denied education. Different disturbing but moving story of a young girl whose yet not so different, Men of the Deeps takes us to Cape life gets interwoven with the civil war in Lebanon; it is Breton, and the stories and songs from the difficult based, in part, on the true account of political activist lives of miners. Soha Bechara. The heart-warming film, in which substitute teacher We travel through three decades in the life of hard- and refugee, Monsieur Lazhar tries to help Canadian drinking, cigar-smoking, Barney Panofsky with a schoolchildren traumatised by their teacher’s suicide, foul-mouthed father and a beautiful third wife. Did explores the difference between two cultures. he murder his best friend, we ask, as we grow to like this man who turns out to be more kind-hearted than  PRIYA JAIN

The play began with the wife’s complaint when armed Grace under Pressure police came to her door and arrested Faiz without a THEATRE: Chand roz aur Meri Jaan warrant. He kissed his daughters when he heard the Director: Salima Raza sound of boots. Even in the days of despair and sorrow, Alys raised her daughters with indomitable spirit. The Pressented by Wings Cultural Society, June 28 play and the verses are not just about the poet’s emotions, but the courage demonstrated by his When Faiz Ahmed Faiz was wife. imprisoned in Pakistan in 1951, he wrote a number of inspiring Different moods of the seasons poems. During his stay in the reflect the mood of the poet. During prison (1951-55), he also wrote a the monsoon, his parched soul longs series of love letters to Alys, his for his beloved. He tells his beloved, British wife, from the prison. This who happens to be his wife, ‘A few play was based on the exchange more days, my beloved! Merely of letters between the poet a handful more…. Chand roz aur, (performed by Banwari Taneja) Meri Jaan’. and his wife Alys (performed Dialogues, poems, music (by Tarique by Salima Raza). Interspersed Hamid) reveal on one side the love, with the recitation and singing separation and longing between of Faiz’s verses, it showed how wife and poet and on the other, they the letters nurtured a partnership raise their voice for the oppressed, and held out against oppression. downtrodden and exploited masses. The production, direction, acting and music direction of the play were remarkable.  MANDIRA GHOSH 6 diary arts

Adopting a spontaneous village ditties of Jharkhand mode of presentation and Protest Music to the rap music of Manipur a chronological formulation MUSIC APPRECIATION PROMOTION: where the lyrics were based for the talk, Rahul Ram Contemporary Protest Music in India on urban activist concerns or of the band Indian Ocean Speaker: Dr. Rahul Ram, June 15 village-related observations introduced the idea of set to a variety of music protest music by pointing forms. He also dwelt on the to the plethora of national songs that were popular music genres emanating from present-day Kashmir during the independence struggle. The role of cinema by songsters—such as Ruhun Elahi—who sing not featured as well. The arrival of songs based on social of ‘what is history but what is happening on the themes thereafter reflected the new concerns of an ground’. independent India, as also the fact that such music The lecture established that the protest genre is a was a people’s way of making themselves and their constant, and while the issues keep changing, it concerns public. remains relevant down the years. The latter half of the lecture showed how the protest challenge is being oriented to reflect current concerns. Rahul chose pan-Indian samples, from the  SUBHRA MAZUMDAR

a devotee of Lord Shiva, who was Joyous Journey denied entry into the temple as he PERFORMANCE: Bharatanatyam by Anuradha was from a lower caste. He asks Venkataraman, May 16 Lord Shiva where he will go, if the lord himself does not accept him. Keertanam, ‘Engu naan selven Anuradha commenced her recital with an Invocatory ayya’ was in Ragam Dwijavanthi and piece dedicated to Lord Shiva in Ragam Nattai, Khanda Chaapu Talam. Adi Talam which described Shiva as not only the supreme cosmic dancer, but also the greatest Anuradha concluded with Thillana, of all singers. She next performed the central a pure nritta item, consisting of piece of the Bharatanatyam margam, Varnam a fast paced rhythmic movements, composition of H.N. Muttayyah Bhaagavatar in strung together in various patterns and Ragam Kamas and Adi Talam, praising Goddess combinations, with the aim to carve geometry Meenakshi. in space. Thillana was a composition of Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman, in Ragam Vasanthi and This was followed by a Kshetriya padam in Misra Chaapu talam. Ragam Kalyani, Misra chaapu Talam. The nayika in this padam knows all about The choreography of each piece was Muvagopalas’ antics. She secretly distinct, and while in the nritta portions hankers for him, but wants to appear Anuradha moved in new formations, inaccessible. Though her demeanour is the feelings of all protagonists was distant, her description of him reveals brought out by her perfect display the truth: that her heart is already lost of shringara, fake anger, innocence, in love to him. Next was a Keertanam, helplessness and bhakti. a composition of Periyasami Thooran, in which the devotee is portrayed as Nandanar,  SWAPNA SESHADRI 7 books diary

Vinod Mehta’s memoirs, contributions of fearless Lucknow Boy, tells A Varied Career editors like Mehta movingly of his boyhood Book DISCUSSION: The Lucknow Boy—A assume even greater in charming Lucknow, importance. Sardesai Memoir by Vinod Mehta (New Delhi: Penguin/ coming of age in remarked that Mehta, London, where he did all Viking, 2011) Discussants: Professor Mushirul with his self-deprecating sorts of odd jobs even Hasan; Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Rajdeep humour, is a rare breed as he educated himself in Sardesai today when egos are world affairs and history, Chair: Soli J. Sorabjee, May 18 more important than and, in girls, and on his anything else. return to India, the exceptional career in journalism Mushirul Hasan thought the title very apt, that followed. quintessentially reflective of the book—and its Lucknow Boy was the subject of a lively evening with author—as representative of the tehzeeb that once Mehta in conversation with Soli Sorabjee, journalists characterized Lucknow. Mehta confessed that Rajdeep Sardesai and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, and editors at Penguin thought Lucknow Boy was a academic Mushirul Hasan. ‘downmarket’ title for the book and perhaps Beyond Soli Sorabjee set the tone for the evening, tongue the Bylines might be better-suited. Finally, Mehta firmly in cheek. He said, while he didn’t know if summed up the book as ‘a bit of gupshup as I saw Mehta was a ‘Lucknow Boy’ or a ‘Bombay Boy’, it.’ And indeed, what he saw makes for compelling he realized that Mehta was definitely a ‘Naughty reading, even though one may disagree with his Boy’! interpretations. Guha Thakurta went on to say that in a time when censorship has once again become a major issue, the  DEVAPRIYA ROY

Beginning with Usha for the book, making Ramanathan’s overview Development or a familiar story more of the debates surro- authentic. The question unding displacement Displacement that remains, she said, and rehabilitation in the Book Discussion: Uprooted for Whose is that clearly, while land country over the last Benefit? Development–Induced Displacement in will always be needed two decades, Enakshi Assam 1947–2000 by Walter Fernandes and for projects, what is it Ganguly Thukral went Gita Bharali that needs to be done to on to describe the Discussants: Professor Amita Baviskar; Dr.Usha ensure that they do not contents of the book Ramanathan and Enakshi Ganguly Thukral affect the people to be and its importance in Chair: E.N. Rammohan, June 1 displaced? What should the context of ongoing be done about the social large-scale displacement tensions and political in the country. The fact that often the people to repercussions that such acts bring with them? be displaced themselves have no prior knowledge about it speaks of complete apathy on the part of Mr. Rammohan concluded that the concept of the state. The way in which people are treated could sovereign ownership of land by the state needs to even be seen as violence perpetrated on them. Amita be challenged, as well as the undemocratic way of Baviskar highlighted the rigour of the research done acquiring land. 8 diary miscellany

great body of published work on dance, someone A Historic Event who has made a huge impact in the critical studies DISCUSSION: Thalia Prize 2012 presented to of arts and aesthetics in general, and performance Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan in particular. Collaboration: International Association of Ravi Chaturvedi, President, Indian Society for Theatre Critics (IATC), Dance Alliance—India Theatre Research (ISTR) talked about the history and IIC, June 6 of the Thalia Prize and convened the function. The laudation speech, delivered by Ms. Margareta Dr. Kapila Vatsyanan was awarded the prestigious Sorenson, Swedish theatre and dance critic and Vice- Thalia Prize 2012, which she accepted in absentia President of the IATC, was read by Dr. Bishnupriya in Warsaw, Poland on March 28, 2012. Dr. Karan Dutt from the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Singh was the Chief Guest at the programme held on JNU. It was followed by the filmed recording of June 6 to hand over the prize to Dr. Vatsyayan. Dr. Vatsyayan’s moving speech of acceptance which The Thalia Prize is given to a theatre critic of was played at the original venue in Warsaw in March. international repute, and it was a proud moment for The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by scholars and critics of dance in India, as this was the Dr. Urmimala Sarkar Munsi, Secretary of Dance first time it was awarded to an Asian scholar with a Alliance–India.

Launch of IIC Publication BOOK RELEASE: ’The Golden Thread — Essays in Honour of C.D. Deshmukh’ (Winter 2011—Spring 2012) Quarterly, Launched by Dr. Karan Singh, May 2

The special issue of the IIC Quarterly, The Golden Thread: Essays in Honour of C.D. Deshmukh was released by Dr Karan Singh. In his introduction, he said that this was an appropriate collection for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Centre. These lectures, he pointed out, were delivered by distinguished scholars and covered the spectrum from politics, economics, institutional reform in education is still a dream. architecture and foreign affairs, to education, and What is important, she said, is not just expansion, but science and technology. also a search for better alternatives. Dr. Shekhar Shah’s brief but eloquent talk felicitated Dr. Balveer Arora recounted his meeting with C.D. C.D. Deshmukh and his contributions to public life as Deshmukh when, as Finance Minister in 1956, he was Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Chairman closely involved in states’ reorganization. His views of the UGC, among several other positions. then are as relevant today—he believed that the three villains facing India were communalism, casteism and Dr. Kiran Datar spoke of C.D. Deshmukh’s term as regionalism. Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University. As Deshmukh did so many years ago, Dr. Datar believes that  RACHNA JOSHI 9 futures diary

Highlights for July - August 2012

Performances 23 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in Conference Room – I 23 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium How China Will Change the World Concert Speaker: Professor Martin Jacques, Senior Visiting By The Ranganathan Trio from Fellow at IDEAS, LSE France – Ajay (violin); Ravi Chair: Dr. Alka Acharya, Director, Institute of (cello); and Theo (piano) With Chinese Studies Elodie Merlaud (mezzo soprano) (Collaboration: Institute of Chinese Studies) Mo n s o o n Fe s t i v a l 26 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in Lecture Room – II, Annexe 26 July 2012 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium Spiritual Ecology Mohan Veena Recital Speaker: Professor Subhadra Mitra Channa, By Poly Varghese from Chennai, disciple of Pt. Viswa Professor of Social Anthropology, University of Mohan Bhatt Delhi who is a specialist on gender studies, religion Followed at 7:00 pm by and ecology with anthropological theory and methodology Hindustani Vocal Recital By Lakshmi Sreeram from Chair: Dr. A.K. Merchant, General Secretary, The Chennai, disciple of Pt. Vasantrao Kulkarni and Temple of Understanding, India Pt. Srikrishna Babanrao Haldankar (Collaboration: Tibet House) 27 July 2012 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium 28 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium Bharatanatyam Recital The Twentieth Rosalind Wilson By Seshadri Iyengar from Bangalore, Memorial Lecture disciple of Guru Padmini Ravi Freedom of Expression and Communication Challenges in the Age of Internet Followed at 7:00 pm by Speaker: Dr. Shashi Tharoor Odissi Recital By Sharmila Mukherjee from Delhi, (Organized by the Rosalind Wilson Memorial Trust) disciple of the late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra 30 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in Conference Room – I Einstein: A Glimpse of His Life, His Philosophy Le c t u r e s and Science Music Appreciation Promotion Programmes Speaker: Professor A.K. Ghatak, Emeritus Professor, 20 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in Lecture Room – II, Annexe IIT Delhi The Legacy of Ustad Amir Khan Chair: Professor B. Buti, Director, Centre for Science Illustrated lecture by S. Kalidas, music critic and Society Chair: Pt. Tejpal Singh, senior disciple of Ustad Amir Khan Go l d e n Ju b i l e e Le c t u r e s 2 August 2012 at 6:30 pm in Seminar Rooms II and III, 17 August 2012 at 6:30 pm in Lecture Room – II, Annexe Conference Block Comparative Demonstration of Hindustani The Lived Landscape: Recasting Monumental vis-à-vis Carnatic Music Preservation Lecture and demonstration by Dr. R. Narmadha, a Speaker: Dr. Narayani Gupta, formerly Professor unique violinist who has mastered and performs in of History, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Founder, both Carnatic and Hindustani styles Conservation Society Delhi 10 diary futures

21 August 2012 at 6:30 pm in Seminar Rooms II and III, the Subcontinent with films from Afghanistan, Conference Block Bangladesh, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Governing Diversity and the Tibet Autonomous Region; covering a wide Speaker: Dr. Amitabh Kundu range of subjects from 22 August 2012 at 6:30 pm in Conference Room – I piracy/copyright issues to India’s agrarian crises Electoral Reforms and labour migrants Shri J.M. Lyngdoh, former Chief Speaker: to natural disasters. Election Commissioner The festival includes 30 August 2012 at 6:30 pm in Seminar Rooms II and III two award winners at A Manifesto for Science: Wildlife, Biology, the Film South Asia Festival 2011, Kathmandu as well Bureaucracy and the New Challenges as other films selected to showcase the variety, Speaker: Dr. Ghazala Shahabuddin treatment and intensity that marks the world of 3 August 2012 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium Southasian documentaries. 11th BCF Annual Lecture Details of the films and screening schedule will be announced in the Programme cards Gross National Happiness Index of Bhutan Speaker: H.E. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, Minister Ex h i b i t i o n s of Works and Human Settlement, Government 19 – 26 July 2012, 11:00 am to of Bhutan 7:00 pm, Annexe Art Gallery (Collaboration: Business and Community 797112 - Portraits of Foundation) Dimapur An exhibition of photographs Fi l m s by Zubeni Lotha 24 July 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium The Artist and Her Work: Mrinalini Sarabhai by 8 – 14 August 2012, 11:00 am to Mallika Sarabhai 7:00 pm, Annexe Art Gallery Delving into the art of the first choreographer to use Pastoral Panorama dance as contemporary social commentary Exhibition of paintings in (Collaboration: Public Service Broadcasting Trust) mixed-media on rice paper 9 August 2012 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium By Haren Thakur Films by Sunit Sinha 18 – 31 August 2012, 11:00 Priceless: Short fiction film on a street child’s blind am to 7:00 pm, Main Art date with high society Gallery Virus: Short fiction film that explores The Art Gallery in the themes of alienation, loneliness, deceit Conference Block will and class abuse be formally opened with an exhibition of works Travelling Film South Asia 2012 by contemporary artist, 29 August to 1 September Sachin George Sebastian 2012 A festival of 12 exceptional The Metropolis and nonfiction films from The City Planner South Asia. The festival A narrative in multiple encapsulates a flavor of layers of paper By Sachin George Sebastian 11 Reg. No. 28936/77 notices diary

Notices

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Recent Occasional Publications When is the Right of Secession Justified ? Internationalization: Three Generations of Crossborder by Neera Chandhoke (No. 37) Higher Education by Jane Knight (No. 38)

Obituary A-1226 Shri Krishna Pratap M-1616 Shri Govind Narain A-2602 Smt. Krishna Devi Jhalani M-1693 Shri Sitanshu Das A-2717 Shri Pushkar Johari M-2400 Shri S.K. Somaiya A-4913 Dr. Vijay Sheel Kumar M-2904 Shri M.K. Dhar A-5382 Smt. Ratna Bagchi M-3011 Shri Sushil Kumar M-0388 Professor A. Rahman M-3189 Justice I. Venkatanarayana M-0709 Shri S.S. Dasgupta M-3225 Shri S. P. Srivastav M-0723 Shri Jehangir A. Sabavala M-3361 Dr. S.K. Chopra M-0765 Shri B.D. Garga M-3405 Professor A.R. Khan

This issue of the Diary has been assembled and edited by Omita Goyal, Chief Editor; Rachna Joshi, Senior Asst. Editor; and Ritu Singh, Asst. Editor. Published by Ravinder Datta, for the India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi-110 003, Ph: 24619431. Designed by Poonam Bevli Sahi at FACET Design, D-9, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110 024, Ph: 24616720, 24624336 and printed by Mastan Singh at I.G. Printers, 104, DSIDC Shed, Okhla Phase-I, New Delhi - 110 020. 12